Garlic Parmesan Croutons

Making your own croutons takes about as much time to make a pot of coffee…and just as easy. Trust me, once you make your own croutons, you will never go back to store bought again. With the use of heart healthy Olive Oil, they are much better for you than the butter/transfat laden commercial variety too. These are made from day or two old fresh bread. Not the packaged, preservative laden stuff either, because no matter how long you leave it out, it just doesn’t get stale enough to be used as croutons.

Grab a fresh baguette (preferably whole wheat or multi-grain variety) and let it sit in a plastic bag on the counter for a couple days. You will know when it is ready when the bread is no longer soft, but firm and crumbles easily when slicing. The perfect consistency has now been achieved for making croutons!

Be forewarned though…you best make a double batch, because once they come out of the oven, you will be snacking on them as they are totally addictive.

Ingredients

2 cups cubed, stale bread

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

½ tsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Directions

In a large bowl, toss bread cubes with olive oil, parmesan and garlic powder until well coated. Spread out on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Bake in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until browned and crispy, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

*Alternatives – experiment with different herbs, Italian Seasoning, Basil, Oregano, Thyme and Sage. Adjust to suit the overall flavour profile of your meal. They also make a great base for Turkey Stuffing!